During this period, I was the managing editor for the US Society of Mining Engineers’ Handbook (which is often referred to as the “Miners’ Bible”).

This work started with a blank contents-sheet and finished after 30 months with the production (12 months ahead of schedule and within budget) of a two-volume 3,500-page masterpiece of technical and educational excellence.

In addition, during the first nine years of my consultancy practice, I was a Reserve Officer in the RAF’s Press+Public Relations Squadron.

During this time I served in Gulf War II (Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq), as well as undertaking two tours in Afghanistan as the No2 staff officer in Helmand at NATO HQ’s communications and media unit.

These three postings took place in a multi-national environment, which was austere, exceptionally busy, fast changing and dynamic in nature. A clear head and an unswerving sense of mission were constantly called upon, as was a sense of humour and cherishing nature towards junior members of the unit, who frequently found themselves outside their comfort zone with no point of reference upon which to focus.

Skills:

Additional communications and marketing skills include: strategic planning, simultaneous oversight and management of a number of communications and marketing projects, co-ordinating numerous communications and marketing specific contractors/agencies, as well as briefing Board-level and senior executives

I have extensive experience in the planning and production of various in-house and stakeholder targeted media projects, commissioning media materials, media training for senior managers, and media monitoring

I have been part of a Group-wide re-branding exercise and the several subsequent follow-up initiatives required to reinforce corporate identity issues, and

I am confident in photography/audio/video work, as well as researching, editing and writing annual reports, articles, technical manuals, speeches and blogs.

Rio Tinto.
1997-2002

Rio Tinto, which is headquartered in London, is a leading international mining conglomerate. The Group which is a world leader in exploration, exploitation and processing of natural resources, concentrates on the development of first-class ore bodies into large, long-life and sustainable operations. The Group’s operations are located in some of the world’s most difficult regions in terms of terrain, climates and politics including those in Australasia, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. As a blue-chip company, Rio Tinto takes great care to ensure its accountability, environmental record, social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and corporate governance are all beyond reproach.

Job description:

Senior corporate communications role within the External Relations Department with a wide range of responsibilities covering in-house communications, external and stakeholder engagement, special communications projects, written/audio/visual communications, as well as strategic communications planning (medium- and long-term).
Prime accountabilities:

Member of executive team providing communications advice and direction to Rio Tinto stakeholders and senior executives

Responsible for communications input into annual general meetings, as well as post-event summary, any subsequent follow up that was required, as well as dissemination of details to all the Group’s Business Units

Significant input (with other stakeholders) into the Group’s communications strategy

Sole responsibility for construction of the Group’s HQ disaster business continuity planning and implementation strategy

Specific details:

For the majority of my 8 years as an oilfield service engineer, I was based offshore (initially living as an expat in-country and latterly on-rotation).The majority of this offshore work was in Gabon, French-Congo, the Cameroons, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Gulf of Guinea, North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Egypt, Tunisia and Abu Dhabi. I have also worked on-shore in Louisiana and Nigeria, and on-land in Abu Dhabi, France, England, and Angola.

Society of Mining Engineer’s Handbook (third edition)
Crystal Identifier
Corporate Communications: a field manual (currently being scripted)
Over 400 articles published in various magazines and in-house publications

Professional Accreditations

Chartered Engineer
Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Materials (Member)
Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (Member)
US Society of Mining Engineers (Member)
Frontline Club (Member)

Additional Information

Widely travelled (Chile to China, La Reunion to Russia, Alaska to Australia, Mexico to Malaysia and many places in-between)
Prepared to travel/relocate
Speak French
Currently learning Spanish
Physically fit and enjoy excellent health